New Ulm

banker takes

CEO job at

State Bank of Young America

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- State Bank & Trust Company Vice President David Vandien proved he is on the fast track up the corporate ladder when the recent news broke that he will become president and chief executive officer of the State Bank of Young America later this month.

He will miss New Ulm.

"It's been a great place to live. It's a great town," Vandien said.

He developed a diverse banking background in a relatively short period of time.

Vandien came to New Ulm eight years ago.

He was a vice president and cashier with Community Bank, New Ulm from 1992-96.

A native of Baldwin, Wis., Vandien kept himself busy in the community. He served as the New Ulm Rotary president and belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, Izaak Walton League, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, New Ulm Country Club, Brown County Bankers and Nicollet County Bankers.

At Community Bank, he managed governmental and specialty loan programs, created the bank's secondary market loan program; wrote bank secrecy, CRA, security and internal audit policies; managed its compliance program; performed internal audits and call reports; and serviced its security portfolio.

At State Bank & Trust, he originated commercial, real estate and commercial loans; established and implemented policies and procedures; was the primary business development officer; managed the business manager program; and researched and developed new commercial credit products.

Before moving to New Ulm, he worked as a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulatory agent from 1990-92.

Vandien graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1990 with a major in finance and minor in economics.

He will commute to Young America until his house is sold. He and his wife Suzanne will then move to the Twin City area.

Suzanne operated a day-care business in New Ulm.

Vandien said the current trend is banking is like any other industry with management in short supply.

"There is a shortage of lenders right now," Vandien said.

He went through a lengthy process before he got his new position.

First, he was among a pool of people contacted by an employment search consultant.

Then he took a personality test, answered a series of questions in writing, and had multiple interviews.

"They really worked hard to match my background with their needs," Vandien said. "I think my background and experience here helped me in this situation."

He said it should not be perceived as a negative that he is leaving New Ulm.

"My (new job) is evidence of the good opportunities, training and experience I received here," Vandien said. "It's kind of a two-edged sword. It makes you a better banker but also opens up good opportunities out there. We have lots of good people at State Bank & Trust that will be here for awhile."

Vandien will replace bank president Charles Nuernberg who worked there 44 years.

He noted several similarities between the State Bank of Young America and State Bank & Trust of New Ulm.

The State Bank of Young America celebrated its 100th birthday last June. It has $105 million in assets.

State Bank & Trust will celebrate its 100th year in 2001.

Vandien noted that the two banks were the only ones in their communities that did not fail during the Depression.